 He was initially loaned out from Feyenoord to feeder club Excelsior Rotterdam in the lower league Eerste Divisie, for an indefinite period of time.He established himself in the Excelsior first team squad during his first year at the club.He went on to play 4½ seasons for Excelsior, helping the club win promotion for the Eredivisie in the 2001–02 season, though they were relegated again in the very next season.